The March Hare: The Dancing Rabbit Weekly Blog

Greetings! I don't know about y’all out there but for me this week was full! Tereza here, with news of duties, food changes, theater, sky-watching, and birthdays, as well as the usual connection, laughter, and warm season busy-ness. My first (of two) civic duties this week was voting in the state primaries on Tuesday. It’s always fun to fill a car with Rabbits and go see the nice ladies in Rutledge who run the voting station. Rumor has it a bunch of Rabbits went in by bike together earlier in the morning, which was probably fun too. I won’t stray…read more >

Summertime, and the livin’ is … hmm, not usually easy, only sometimes hard, but definitely full. Surprising, too, despite the ongoing droughty weather, the recent cool spell and nip of rain were enough to trigger the first, real flush of shiitakes on my mushroom logs this year, though I had to water them for a few days to bring them to full size. Some weeks are more stuffed than others, and the list of things to mention this week gives me plenty to tell you about. Ted here to offer the condensed version of our very, full week at Dancing…read more >

This week, I’ve been enjoying the moment but also looking forward to things coming--some exciting and some less so. Benji here, struggling to stay present while also planning, excitedly or worriedly, about things coming up for me and our little village. Another group of participants arrived this week for the Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage Visitor Program. They’re friendly, engaged, and quite musically inclined. I’ve had enjoyable conversations with many of them and have enjoyed hearing their music on a daily basis. They even hosted a jam session, inviting Rabbits to join them in making music, dancing, and singing. I didn’t attend,…read more >

This week brought the sweet relief of cooler temperatures and less humidity, although still not enough rain to keep my cucumbers happy without supplemental watering. In truth, I don’t really mind watering the garden, as it gives me some precious moments to contemplate the progress of the plants and to think about where and how I will expand the garden next year. Melany here, noting the juxtaposition of wishing for more rain and enjoying the meditative practice of watering and watching plants grow. The truth is, I have done something this year that I don’t usually do when it comes…read more >

Graham and I have tried to implement as many permaculture concepts in Cob’s vegetable garden this year as time has allowed. One concept that really caught my fancy was to plant perennial flowers and certain veggies in amongst the veggie beds to attract pollinator insects (e.g., cosmos, nasturtiums, zinnias, daisies, borage, and dandelions) and to discourage pest insects (e.g., onion, garlic, leeks, basil, radishes, and marigolds). Liz here, in awe of the beauty of a permaculture garden in the fullness of summer. The summer bounty is beginning to come in at Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage. It’s been a dry summer and…read more >

This past week of fireworks and waving flags has been an opportunity for me to reflect on what makes this country such a special place, regardless of the opinions and perspectives that often seem to divide more than unite. Cob here, with some thoughts about the value of forgetting and the opportunities inherent in finding one’s way anew. My past week at Dancing Rabbit has been one of much forgetfulness. I might blame it on my days simply being over-full or semi-joke that it's just a part of getting older that we all have to deal with, but if I'm…read more >

My favorite part of the visitor program is the Q&A, which usually happens on the first Friday night of the two-week session. It’s a chance for visitors to ask questions of a large group, especially questions that they think might get varying answers. My favorite questions are the ones that I can’t answer right away—the ones that make me think. Questions like “What are some ways that you are working to be more eco?” or “What was the hardest part of transitioning to life at DR?” or “What do you wish that you knew now about moving to Dancing Rabbit?”…read more >

I've been fascinated lately reading about forest baths. Doctors in Japan prescribe walking in forests for their patients to combat anxiety and depression. When I moved to Dancing Rabbit, I was struck by how good I felt, kind of like after going on a camping trip or a hike, but 24/7. There is more oxygen in the air when we are surrounded by greenery, but it goes beyond that. There is something that feeds the human spirit when we are surrounded by rustling leaves, changing, growing landscapes, flowers of different shapes and colors, birdsong, and bees humming. Liz here, with…read more >